Milligan raising anti-slavery awareness

Milligan College’s Student Government Association will host an event to raise funds and awareness of efforts to end slavery throughout the world from 2 p.m. on March 5 through 5 p.m. on March 6.

Milligan’s 27-hour “Stand for Freedom” event is part of a national campaign held by non-profit human rights agency International Justice Mission, which will take place from March 5 through March 15.

IJM works to intervene in cases of human rights violations in various countries, including incidences of forced labor and sexual slavery.

According to statistics from IJM, 27 million people are currently enslaved throughout the world.

IJM employs lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals to work in 16 field offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America to secure tangible and sustainable protection through national laws in local court systems.

These professionals work with local officials to secure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to ensure that public justice systems — police, courts and laws — effectively protect the poor.

During the Milligan event, which will be held in the school’s McMahan Student Center, participants will raise money, share stories of rescue, sign pledges to stop slavery and learn of additional ways to become involved.

“SGA wanted to inform our campus that slavery still exists and that we can stand up for the individuals who do not have a voice and cannot stand on their own,” Milligan SGA President Danica Collins said. “The ‘Stand for Freedom’ is a way to be become more engaged with the community and help other people.”

For more information on IJM or to participate in the Stand for Freedom movement, visit ijm.org/stand. To learn more about Milligan, visit milligan.edu.